How do glow worms glow

Unique chemistry - which one day might help fight serious disease - found in the New Zealand glowworm. University of Otago researchers have helped uncover how New Zealand glowworms produce their glow.

A multi-year study of the bioluminescence produced by the glowworms has been published today in the highly respected online science journal, Scientific Reports. Lead authors Doctors Oliver Watkins and Miriam Sharpe, working with Professors Nigel Perry Chemistry and Kurt Krause Biochemistry , have discovered that the New Zealand glowworms produce their light using a chemical reaction that is different to all other glowing creatures like fireflies.

All light made by living creatures comes from chemical reactions that take place in enzymes called luciferases.

Whatever you've seen, our digital nature journal gives you a free and easy way to keep track of it all. Discover some standout British beetles, including a particularly vibrant ladybird and a rare rainbow-coloured leaf beetle.

Discover the rocky abyss and meet some unusual residents thriving in the absolute darkness of caves. From bioluminescent lures to infrared abilities, meet some of the animals that have found ways to master life in the dark. London is a particular stronghold of these magnificent, rare beetles.

Discover why, where else they live and how you can help protect them. Get email updates about our news, science, exhibitions, events, products, services and fundraising activities. You must be over the age of Privacy notice. Smart cookie preferences. Change cookie preferences Accept all cookies. Skip to content. Read later.

You don't have any saved articles. By Emily Osterloff. What is a glow-worm? Putting on a light show Adult female glow-worms have a large, light-producing organ at the end of their abdomens.

Femme fatale fireflies In non-glow-worm fireflies, males and females communicate by both flashing their lights in specific patterns and tempos to identify themselves. Light pollution problems Fireflies' lives revolve around light.

A specimen of the lesser glow-worm Phosphaenus hemipterus. New Zealand glow-worms The term 'glow-worm' is also used to describe another group of insects. We hope you enjoyed this article… Now we're wondering if you can help us. Thank you. Donate now. British wildlife Find out about the plants and animals that make the UK home. Get closer to nature. Digital nature journal Whatever you've seen, our digital nature journal gives you a free and easy way to keep track of it all.

Glow-worms are well distributed across much of England and Wales, although they are rare in Scotland. They are at their most numerous on calcareous grasslands where there are plenty of small snail species for them to feed on. So try visiting your local grassland nature reserve after dark, and see what you can find. From seeing colourful wildflowers to spotting magnificent birds of prey, we can help you get closer to wildlife across the UK.

The Glow-worm is not actually a worm, but a beetle. Males look like typical beetles, but the nightly glow of a female is unmistakeable…. See one of the UK's strangest birds: the nocturnal nightjar. How do glow-worms breed? Did you know? Where do glow-worms live? Signs and spotting tips You can spot glow-worms between June and July in grass and shrub far away from artificial lights. Threats and conservation Whilst glow-worms remain fairly common, there is some concern about possible declines, and they have vanished from some sites.

Keep exploring. Trees woods and wildlife Beetles Get the lowdown on woodland beetles that rely on trees and the woodland ecosystem, from decaying wood to dead animals. Trees woods and wildlife Bugs Find out more about bugs - the common woodland residents with their piercing and sucking mouth parts.

Search our site.